COVID-19: A&N adopts 'pool testing' to conduct more tests with less kits
The new method has been effective for efficientlyutilising the resources available to combat the coronavirusoutbreak here in these remote islands, he said.
"Doing more with less is important while#AndamanFightsCOVID19. We pool samples thus using one fourthof test kits. Thus more tests on average in ourislands.#StayAtHome," chief secretary Chetan B Sanghi tweetedrecently.
Amid spurt in COVID-19 cases in the country, theIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued anadvisory on the feasibility of using pooled samples formolecular testing of coronavirus as part of an effort toincrease the number of tests in the country, the official ofthe Union Territory administration said.
The apex health research body said the number ofCOVID-19 cases in India is rising exponentially and in view ofthis, it is critical to increase the numbers of testsconducted by laboratories.
Sample pooling for real-time screening for coronavirusis only recommended in areas with low prevalence of COVID-19,the official said.
"The pool testing method adopted by the administrationhas been effective to fight the virus outbreak.
"As coronavirus cases were rising in the islands, itbecame imperative for the health authorities to manage theavailable resources to combat the spread of the disease inview of the restrictions imposed for the lockdown," a healthdepartment official said.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have reported 11COVID-19 cases and 10 of them recovered from the disease.
Studies by leading researchers also specified thatpooling test samples is cost-effective and can provide a clearpicture about the spread of the disease in a locality, theofficial said.
The new method involves testing multiple samples in asingle test. If a batch tests positive, then everyone whosesamples were a part of that batch would have to be testedseparately.
"Five samples per testing kit are used. So, 25 kitsare required for testing 100 samples," the health departmentofficial said.
Meanwhile, the administration of the Union territorydeclared Atlanta point, Mohanpura Masjid and Biggiline areasof the Port Blair city as 'hot spots' to prevent the spread ofdisease. CORBDC BDC